Auckland’s Indian community was recently treated to a night of soul-stirring music as The Siyer Experience made its much-anticipated debut in the city on May 10 at the Dorothy Winstone Auditorium. Led by acclaimed Indo-Australian singer and GRAMMY®-considered artist Shriram Iyer—widely known as Siyer—the event offered an immersive celebration of Indian musical heritage, drawing both applause and heartfelt praise from those in attendance.
Held as a fundraiser for the Sri Venkateshwara Devasthanam project, the evening blended artistry with purpose. “All together great show worth every dollar donated towards Balaji Temple,” said one viewer, echoing the sentiments of many. “Take a bow Meena and Venki, you guys did a terrific job and Shriram was top notch and a delight to watch and hear.”
Siyer opened the night with a tribute to Bollywood legend Udit Narayan, performing timeless hits like “Udd Ja Kaale Kaawan” and “Mitwa” with emotional depth and vocal finesse. The mood quickly shifted from nostalgia to celebration as he honoured A.R. Rahman with energetic renditions of “Humma Humma”, sending waves of excitement through the crowd.
Joining Siyer on stage was Melbourne-based singer Arpita Chanda, whose solos—“Dil Hai Chota Sa” and “Barso Re”—brought vibrancy and charm. Her duets with Siyer created some of the most memorable moments of the evening.
Adding a classic touch was Sunil Das, who paid homage to Mohammed Rafi with heartfelt performances of “Ek Haseen Shaam Ko” and “Accha Ji Main Haari”. His nostalgic delivery reminded the audience of Hindi cinema’s golden era.
Photo: Supplied
A standout highlight came when Siyer performed an acoustic set with Auckland’s Hemant Thaker on piano, delivering original compositions including the touching lullaby “Nindiya”, which had once been in contention for a GRAMMY® nomination in 2023. The stripped-down arrangement showcased a different side of Siyer’s artistry—one rooted in emotion and songwriting depth.
Adding another layer to the A.R. Rahman segment was vocalist Shikha Sethia, whose graceful rendition of “Snehidane / Chupke Se” was both delicate and powerful.
Supporting the vocalists was a full ensemble of talented musicians: Hemant Thaker on keyboard, Araad on percussion, Everard on bass, guitarist Don, Mihir on additional keys, and Navneel, who masterfully handled traditional instruments like the Tabla and Dholak, weaving a rich, layered soundscape throughout the show.
The energy reached its peak when Siyer tackled the breathless challenge—literally—with his high-octane performance of “Breathless” by Shankar Mahadevan. The audience erupted in cheers. As one viewer described it, “The Siyer Experience was entertaining and very well presented with fully loaded delightful entertainment by the singers, musicians, dancers and the MCs.”
Hosts RJ Neha and Kritika kept the flow lively, guiding the evening with humour and ease, ensuring the audience remained engaged throughout.
In the words of another attendee, “Kudos for such a noteworthy, smoothly managed, very well deserved effort in hosting this lovely, lively show of shows by the talented Shriram.”
From start to finish, The Siyer Experience lived up to its name. The only question on everyone's mind as they left the venue? When is Siyer coming back.
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